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Having a minority opinion is often perceived as "provocative" by people who feel threatened by that opinion, no matter how well articulated. These days the fee
by MCRed 12y ago
Having a minority opinion is often perceived as "provocative" by people who feel threatened by that opinion, no matter how well articulated. These days the feeling of being "threatened" is at an all time high. (I say this having participated in discussions online for 30 years.)
The assumption that "trolls" are trying to "incite reactions, as opposed to contributing to conversations" is often repeated, but in practice, "troll" is a term that is often used against people whose viewpoint is minority, but who are legitimately arguing it.
Those with the majority viewpoint often find it convenient to dismiss (and attempt to discredit) those they disagree with by simply calling them troll. And it's not uncommon for forums to be operated in such a way as to actually ban people with minority viewpoints.
- quesera 12y ago> but in practice, "troll" is a term that is often used against people whose viewpoint is minority, but who are legitimately arguing it. Of course, but the "troll" wants to have that conversation, and the rest of the community does not. That doesn't mean the conversation or opinions are unworthy or wrong, just that they are unwelcome in this context. Good or bad doesn't matter, the "troll" is a disruptive influence that turns a comfortable place into an uncomfortable one. Most people don't come to the Internet to have their beliefs challenged, no matter how wrong those beliefs might be.